3 Alternative Therapy Options To Try During Pregnancy
Finding out you're pregnant means that the focus of your day-to-day life immediately shifts. Your health and the health of your unborn child become your highest priority. When you are pregnant, you have every right to think primarily about yourself and your health. With this heightened focus, you may be under the impression that the only healthcare you should seek out during your pregnancy is that of conventional medicine (i.e. your OB/GYN). However, this is not the case. There are a few alternative options that you can use during your pregnancy to help treat some of the common symptoms that conventional medicine may not address to your liking.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is one of the best alternative medicine tools available to you when you are pregnant. It can be used to treat any of the aches and pains associated with the changes in your body during pregnancy, particularly back and leg pain.
When you leave your massage appointment, your worries, stresses, and anxieties will feel like they have been lifted, and you will feel calm and refreshed. As stress is one of the worst things for you during pregnancy, anything you can do to reduce your stress levels is beneficial to your health and the health of your unborn baby. Contact Imagine Wholeness for more information about pregnancy massages.
Prenatal Yoga
Yoga is an alternative option that serves multiple purposes while you are pregnant. First, it is an excellent exercise program. It fosters muscle strength and flexibility. Because your body is changing rapidly during pregnancy, increased flexibility can help eliminate the aches and pains associated with those changes.
Additionally, yoga is a way to connect your mind to your body. Along with the yoga exercises you perform, your instructor will ask you to practice controlled and focused breathing. You will focus your mind on your body and breath. This serves to clear your mind, relieve stress and worry, and to get you more in-tune with your body so that you can recognize what your body's needs at any given moment.
Aromatherapy
You can also use aromatherapy techniques during your pregnancy. However, you should be cautious about which essential oils you use while pregnant.
Essential oils such as sage, jasmine, and rosemary can actually be harmful to you during pregnancy. You may not even want to consume these herbs in your diet, particularly early in pregnancy in case they cause problems or complications.
However, essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, and spearmint are considered to be safe for use during pregnancy to treat headaches, nausea, and stress. Before you start an aromatherapy treatment, you should consult with your physician. Some medical conditions that you have either prior to becoming pregnant or as a result of your pregnancy may make any aromatherapy treatment ill-advised.
Alternative medicine options are available to help treat any of the symptoms of pregnancy. All you have to do is give them a try and you can have the happiest and healthiest pregnancy possible.